When we talk about intercession, there is a lot to be discussed. As humans, and because of our sinful nature, we need an intercessor to the Father. There are different types of intercessions that can be made and they are distinguishable through Scripture. We are going to talk about the intercessions of the Spirit and through the person of Jesus and how they are different in helping our faith. 

When it comes to the intercession of the Spirit, one might turn to Romans 8:26 as a common passage. It says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” When it comes to prayer, we often don’t know what to pray for. We just need to ask for God’s guidance and wisdom. When we don’t know what to do or what to pray for, the Spirit intercedes for us to the Father where words can’t describe. The Spirit brings our weaknesses and needs before God and makes them known, thus giving us full faith in the Spirit who lives in us. 

Though the Spirit interceding would not be possible if Jesus had not come and died on our behalf. Jesus made and is continually making intercession for us. We have sinned and continue to sin in the flesh, so Paul asks who is going to be the one to condemn us? Who is going to punish us for our sin? In Romans 8:34, he answers this question by saying, “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” The answer is no one. No one can condemn us because Jesus died for us. Not only did he die, but he was raised to life and now sits right beside the Father at his right hand. Paul says that Jesus is interceding for us on behalf of our sins that were covered by his sacrifice. He intercedes for our sins because of his love for us and his sacrifice. Hebrews 7:25 also makes the claim that Jesus now intercedes for those that come to him. 

One of the definitions for this word “intercede” can mean to go to someone or to meet someone. This is kind of what the Spirit and Jesus do for us. They meet us where we are in our struggles and needs. They come to us and bring our desires before the Father. We have a helper in the Spirit and a Savior in Jesus who both make intercession for us all the time.